Investigators believe PV bodies the result of murder-suicide

After discovering two dead bodies at a Prescott Valley residence this past Saturday, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office is now investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide.

According to YCSO, the female victim has been identified as 39-year-old Marcella Thomas, who resided at the Pima Road home. The identity of the man, now classified as a suspect in this case, will not be released until his family has been notified about the death. The suspect was apparently in a prior relationship with Thomas. The call to YCSO came from Thomas' friend who had gone to the home to check on her welfare.

On Saturday at approximately 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to a reported homicide in the 3400 block of Pima Road. Inside the home, deputies found a deceased male and female both of whom had been shot.

During a preliminary investigation and based on evidence examined at the scene, deputies determined the male shot the female and then killed himself. A handgun was recovered from the scene.